Production Lead Supervisor

About the Role

The Lead Manufacturing Supervisor at Pelican is responsible for leading, managing, and holding accountable manufacturing operations to consistently achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and 6S performance expectations. This position directly supervises first-shift manufacturing operators and provides management responsibility, direction, coaching, and accountability for the second-shift supervisor, who supervises second-shift operators. The role supports daily execution, workforce readiness, shift-to-shift communication, performance accountability, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervises first-shift manufacturing operators.
• Provides management responsibility, direction, coaching, and accountability for the second-shift supervisor.
• Ensures the second-shift supervisor effectively leads, supports, and holds second-shift operators accountable to established expectations.
• Ensures operators follow the production schedule, run quality products, and communicate cross-functionally with support teams to meet customer commitments.
• Coordinates shift-to-shift communication, staffing readiness, production priorities, and escalation of operational issues.
• Leads, manages, and holds the manufacturing team accountable for consistently delivering Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and 6S performance standards. Establishes clear expectations, provides timely feedback, reinforces standard work, and ensures performance issues are addressed promptly and professionally.
• Owns manufacturing measurable performance and ensures corrective actions are executed when results fall below plan. Monitors daily production performance, identifies barriers to flow, escalates constraints, and ensures shift-level actions support business objectives.
• Drives the Kaizen and continuous improvement culture across manufacturing to eliminate waste, reduce cost, improve flow, and strengthen daily execution. Encourages operator involvement in problem solving and supports implementation of sustainable process improvements.
• Owns workforce readiness through cross-training, skill development, coaching, and succession planning that ensures operational flexibility and bench strength. Partners with the second-shift supervisor to maintain consistent training expectations and capability development across shifts.
• Owns team engagement, clear communication, and cultural alignment through consistent huddles, expectation setting, floor presence, and visible leadership. Reinforces employee-owner behaviors, teamwork, accountability, and professional communication across both shifts.
• Owns the development and sustainability of Operator Lead Process Control and self-directed work teams that operate safely, deliver quality results, and meet production commitments with strong ownership and minimal daily supervision. Ensures supervisors and operators understand standards, respond to abnormalities, and escalate issues appropriately.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, manufacturing, leadership, or business-related education preferred.
• 3-5 years in a supervisory position.
• Demonstrated manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for operators, team leaders, or supervisors.
• Experience leading multiple shifts, coordinating shift handoff, or managing through subordinate supervision preferred.
• Strong ability to lead through accountability, coaching, communication, and consistent follow-up.
• Working knowledge of safety, quality, production, cost, delivery, and workplace organization expectations in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to use performance measurables to identify gaps, drive corrective action, and sustain improvement.
• Strong communication, prioritization, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to support continuous improvement, Kaizen activity, standard work, training compliance, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Basic computer skills required, including ability to use production, quality, training, communication, and reporting systems as needed.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Manufacturing and office environments.
• Requires standing, walking, and lifting up to 25 lbs. regularly and up to 55 lbs. occasionally.
• Work involves exposure to machinery, moderate noise levels, and use of inspection and test equipment.
• The production environment is typical of many indoor manufacturing facilities.
• This is a “Safety First” facility; P.P.E. gear is mandatory with no exceptions.
• Noise generated within the facility is moderate but may require hearing protection when using certain equipment.
• Employees may work around moving and heated equipment, sometimes with extreme temperatures.
• This role may require working near industrial equipment that can generate electromagnetic fields (EMF). Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may affect certain implanted medical devices.

If you believe you may need accommodation to perform the essential functions of this job, please let us know during the application process or at any time.